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upgrade question regarding DAC and streamer

I want to improve my system's imaging after having carefully placed my speakers and done some room treatment to reduce reflections.

My system includes a McIntosh MA8950 integrated amplifier, Sonus faber Olympica Nova III speakers, a Silent Angel Bonn 8 network switch and its LPU, and an Innuos Zen Mini Mark III with its LPU. I use the Mini with its Sense app to stream Qobuz to the McIntosh's DA2 DAC.

I am considering a DAC+streamer such as the MSB Discrete (with render/streamer add-on, and its separate single LPU) and the dCS Lina (with built-in power supply). My budget is about 15K.

In the future, I will get a separate preamp and amp, perhaps using the MA8950 as the preamp for a while.

The dealer with whom I have a great relationship carries MSB, dCS, and Innuos (their Stream3 may also be a good option when it comes out). Of course, I will listen to the DAC+streamer options with the same/similar integrated amp and speakers at the dealer's.

For the purpose of improving imaging with my system/room/good speaker placement, does upgrading the DAC and streamer make sense, or should I upgrade to separates first? Or something else?

jrdavisphd
rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
354 posts
 

I say something else. 

Since you stream Qobuz, start at improving the feed to your streamer.  Having optical isolation before and after the switch and ethernet filtering before and after the switch will send a cleaner signal to your streamer and cleaner signal from your streamer to your DAC.

I have a Network Acoustics ENO Ag filter between my router and EE Switch8, then a SOtM Ethernet cable with filter to an OpticalModule then fiber to an EtherRegen and then another SOtM Ethernet to my streamer.  I also use another OpticalModule between the streamer and DAC.  It sounds like overkill but it is very effective at stripping away noise and feeding the DAC with a beautiful sounding stream. 

Remember Garbage is Garbage out.

Then you can then better hear the upgrade of a streamer or DAC or both.

jrdavisphd OP
35 posts
 

@rikkipuu What make of OpticalModule do you use? SOtM?

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
354 posts
 

I have 2 Sonore OpticalModule Deluxe's https://www.sonore.us/opticalModule-Deluxe.html, one before the streamer and one after with the Finisar SFP's and Multimode Fiber as per their SystemOptique specifications.  I have one powered by a TeddyPardo and the other on an Uptone JS-4.  The JS-4 replaced a JS-2 and there was an immediate WOW factor.

@jrdavisphd  I have a mix of SOtM ethernet cables but use a  iSO-CAT6 Special Edition https://sotm-usa.com/collections/high-performance-cables/products/iso-cat6-lan-single-noise-filter with the grey cables between the switch and first OpticalModule Deluxe.  I have a dCBL-CAT7 between the Streamer and second OpticalModule Deluxe.

I have tried numerous Finisar and other branded single mode SFP's and fibers and did not like any of them.  Also, the multimode Finisar SFP from Sonore is much better than the generic one they offer.

 

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